Red wine found to stop lung cancer growth

Red wine is able to stop lung cancer growth according to a recent study by Canadian scientists.

As reported by Wine Spectator, the study, conducted by researchers from Brock University and McMaster University in Ontario, found that both red and white wines halted the spread of lung cancer, but that reds were more effective.

While red wine is known to be rich in resveratrol – an antioxidant present in red grape skins, which is credited for protecting against everything from obesity to heart disease, studies investigating the effects of wine as a whole on cancer cells has thus far been limited.

In the recent study, researches measured red and white wines’ impact on non small-cell carcinoma lung cancer cells by exposing samples of lung cancer cells to Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Riesling sourced from producers in Ontario.

Red wine effectively stopped the spread of cancer cells at 2% concentration, while similar results didn’t happen for white wine until 5% concentration.

“While both red and white wines are able to inhibit lung cancer cell growth, there is a difference in the potency of the wines as these effects were only achieved with higher doses of white wine,” said Evangelia Litsa Tsiani, associate professor of community health sciences at Brock University.

“We hypothesise that the total phenolic content, which was much higher in red wine, may be responsible,” she added.

The findings are due to be published in Cancer Cell International.

“Our next step is to use doses of wine that correspond to moderate wine consumption in humans – one to two glasses per day – and examine the effect on tumor growth in mice,” Tsiani said.

“If we see a significant reduction in tumor growth with wine then we will have strong evidence that will justify the need of a clinical trial,” she added.